packing for tokyo

Here we go again, my annual birthday trip to Tokyo. I’m staying a little longer than usual this time. And I thought it would be fun to bring you guys along as I pack. First of all, I look at what I own in each category (coats, tops, dress etc), then I pull out the ones I know I will reach out the most..I’m keeping everything simple since that’s how my wardrobe is anyway. So without further ado, let’s start packing!

OUTWEAR / 外套、大衣

Outwear is my favourite clothing category, I love how they instantly make a look more put-together. It’s currently autumn in Japan, so I’m packing the trusty leather jacket I bought from Zara years ago (similar here), the alumni trench from Viktoria & Woods that I’ve been obsessed with for months, and also a good old fashion AYR navy classic (similar here) in case it gets colder than expected.

TOPS / 上衣

I own so many black & white t-shirt that I basically live in them. My favourite is from country road & Uniqlo (which I’m planning to stock up once I’m in Tokyo because they are a lot cheaper there). I also reach for my acne studio crew neck one if I’m feeling for a more streetwear vibe. It’s a bit pricey, but the quality is worth it, in my opinion.

BOTTOMS / 下半身

I’ve been more of a skirt girl recently, but I do think we should always have a pair of classic black jeans while on the go. Mother denim is my all-time favourite jeans brand, they are super comfy and flatter my pear Asian figure perfectly. I also decided to bring a high-waist short, black skirt and maxi denim skirt so I can play it around with my t-shirts.

DRESSES / 洋裝

I don’t normally pack dresses because they have relatively less styling options comparing to tops & bottoms. However, a slip dress is a must because they are great for layering (again..for my countless tees). I also brought my favourite t-shirt dress just in case.

FOOTWEAR / 鞋子

Shoes. I’m one of those people who will save up for a good pair of shoes. But I learnt from my past trip it’s more important to bring comfy footwear than fancy ones. My Zomp ankle boots are a must, they are super comfy, I’ve shot in them, walked all day in them and they never disappoint. I also love the bronze colour, because it brings a cool distress vibe. And of course, a pair of white sneakers (preferably with a platform because of my height). Last but not least, my Stuart Weizman knee-high boots. I know it seems like a waste of space in your suitcase, but they literally go with every single outfit….dress, skirts, high waist shorts, skinny jeans etc. How can I leave it behind?

bags / 包包

I try to keep my bags small when travelling. It stops me from carrying too many non-necessary items (for instance, you really just only need one lipstick for a day Tiffany…) and giving myself a sore shoulder. I’ll take my current favourite crossbody Longchamp Mademoiselle, it’s the perfect size for essentials and comes with a secret pocket for passport & credit cards. I’m also bringing a small/mini backpack as a second styling option. Then I need something larger for the plane so I reached out my Loewe fringe tote which fits everything and still looks pretty stylish. I know a lot of people would worry about getting designer bags ruined on your trips (especially when it’s white), but to me, I bought them to enjoy it, and I’m not going to love them any less because they look a bit worn, I actually think they look cooler and grungier like that.

Hope you all enjoyed this packing article and found it somewhat useful for your next trip. Currently working on part two – travel beauty to share with you what I am taking with me. A look into my current favourite routine for both skin and makeup.